To travel you do not have to wait for the time you go on vacation. Even on a workweek, there is a time for a trip. To diversify your weekends and to get new impressions and emotions you can make a fantastic trip embracing our programme "short breaks".

Take your friends or family, choose up to three cities you want to visit and make a fabulous journey. In this weekend tour, you can stay for a one or two nights in the places you have chosen. You can be on excursions exploring and admiring the cities during the whole day and enjoy breathtaking views of the places recollecting bright moments of your trip at night. From dawn till night you will be able to see how the cities and everything around you change. Morning day will present the architecture and the landscape in sunlight glory while night will show transformed buildings and streets sinking in illumination.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to souvenirs from Russia? Of course, it is matryoshka, balalaika, vodka and caviar. Oh, and a hat with ear flaps as well! However, the ear flap hat is now in vogue, and has ceased to be such a rarity, vodka can be bought almost anywhere in the world.

Numerous souvenir shops are vying to sell magnets, mugs and T-shirts with slogans and thematic images (flag and coat of arms of Russia, funny sayings, bears, portraits of politicians and well-known writers), sailor's striped vests, as well as handicrafts. Khokhloma, Gzhel, enamel, birch amulets and Vologda lacework… the assortment is huge! But when you make purchases, don’t lower your guard.
Some unscrupulous sellers may try to sell you cheaper and substandard imitations. Of course, most of the shops have certificates for their goods and buy them directly from factories and workshops.
To help you not to get lost in all this colorful variety and tell how and where it is better to buy particular products, we have prepared separate articles for you on Russian folk crafts.

It makes sense to look for more valuable and rare souvenirs in antique shops.
Old coins, porcelain figurines of the Soviet era, icons, clocks, badges, decorations - one does not know where to look first!
But even here there are potential pitfalls. Apart from the fact that the seller may seriously inflate the price of what you want to buy, arguing that it is older or more valuable than it really is, there may be problems taking it out of the country.

As of today, it is prohibited to take any items of cultural value (books, figurines, icons, pictures, etc.), created prior to January 1, 1964 out of the country.

Important note: items of cultural value do not include cultural goods of serial and mass production, or modern souvenirs.

However, sometimes even an item of mass production manufactured over fifty years ago may attract the close attention of the customs service. If you want to protect yourself from unforeseen delays and undesired proceedings (the item is likely to stay with you, which, alas, cannot be said of your nerve cells), you can send the purchase to your own address by mail, after packing it carefully to avoid damage. Make sure that the package has a warning sign if the item is fragile.

Are you a little confused with all this information? Our team members are always ready to help you navigate all the rules, addresses, products and prices!

You will definitely find something to your liking and within your budget with all the variety of great Russian souvenirs!

Pereslavl-Zalessky

When you embark on a tour around the Golden Ring do not forget to visit Pereslavl-Zalessky, which is situated on the bank of the beautiful lake Plesheevo. The city occupies the southern part of the Yaroslavl Region and is 140 km away from Moscow.

Like Moscow Pereslavl-Zalessky was founded by the great Russian Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy in the mid-12th century. Here the Great Prince and Russian Warlord Alexander Nevsky was also born. Most of the memorable places here are related to his name. Tourists never miss the chance to visit the Transfiguration Cathedral, where Alexander was baptized. It is the oldest building from the 12th century, a unique monument from the old ages and a vivid example of the arts of the ancient architects.

Lake Plesheevo.

Active travel enthusiasts, this is your place!

The biggest fresh water reserve in the European part of Russia is 30 thousand years old!

It is home to many species of fish, including bream, chub, pike, and bleak fish. No fisherman leaves the lake without a full catch. But before you can settle on the lakeside with your fishing rod you will need a special permit. This place appeals to water sports fans as well. Summer is the time for kitesurfing and snowkiting is practiced in winter.

Goritsky Monastery is another obligatory stop on a tourist groups’ itinerary. The main thing worth visiting is the elegant Cathedral of the Assumption.

Not just the monasteries are renown in Pereslavl-Zalessky. The oldest Russian museum-estate "The Little Boat of Peter the Great" is the place where every item is connected with the Great Russian Emperor, who built the famous toy flotilla on Lake Plesheevo.

Another of Pereslavl’s museums features… irons. The Museum of Flat Irons is located in an old two-story mansion. On the second floor you can study exhibits and buy a souvenir on the first floor.

If you travel to Pereslavl-Zalessky in summer, make sure to book your accommodation beforehand, as there are a lot of tourists at this time of year. In the restaurants at Pereslavl-Zalessky you can try any Russian national dish. The fish options especially stand out. The chefs are excellent at preparing the fish from the local lake. Pereslavl’s restaurants are particularly famous for baked and smoked chub. It is cooked according an old recipe, exactly the same way as it was eaten by the Russian tsars. Once you have enjoyed the attractions of Pereslavl-Zalessky, it’s time to explore the surrounding area. Those who like mysteries and magic will enjoy a trip to the Sin’-stone. This is a round stone not far from the city, quite ordinary in appearance. However, it turns blue after a rain and it has a faint glow at night. The stone is never covered with snow in winter, and, as a pagan legend goes, you can make a wish while standing close to it.

If you travel with kids we advise you to visit Vasilevo village, where you will find the Birth of the Fairy Tale Museum. Young visitors will recognize the characters of Russian Fairy Tales, including Kolobok, Masha and the Bear, Baba Yaga and many others..

Tourist groups often travel to the Well of St. Barbara, which is situated ten minutes away from the city. There is a legend that the water from the well has curative powers and helps people who have weak eyesight. All year long in Pereslavl-Zalessky different celebrations and festivals take place. In winter all public sites host New Year’s Eve and Christmas parties. In March the city’s residents and visitors are invited to the Winter’s Farewell Party. If you travel to Pereslavl-Zalessky in June you can attend the Day of the Russian Glory, when enthusiasts reenact different historic events.

Each year on the first Saturday of June the House of Berendei Festival is held especially for tourists. Here you can learn to paint toys or master your blacksmith or pot making skills.

You want a bird’s-eye view of the city? The Aeronautics festival will help your dream come true. In mid-July a host of hot air balloons will take off in an amazing show. Anyone can fly high into the sky and enjoy a majestic view of the city and the lake.

August is marked by the annual Otkrytie Bards’ Festival. Here everything is organized according to the best traditions of the bards, like the crackle of the campfire, and heart-to-heart talks…

Pereslavl-Zalessky is the city of temples and museums, of legends and traditions. It is mysterious and enigmatic, holding many secrets. Come here if you want to immerse yourself in this aura, to look within yourself and find answers to your deepest questions.